White Explains Reasoning Behind Changes In UFC Rankings

As far as UFC president Dana White is concerned, the decision to remove TJ Grant and Nate Diaz from the official UFC rankings was a simple one.

They are not currently active.

White, during an interview on “UFC Tonight” Wednesday, discussed the issue. Both fighters were taken out of the rankings earlier this week, while former UFC champion Dominick Cruz remained in the bantamweight Top-10 despite being off longer than either Grant or Diaz.

“Everyone is talking about Nate Diaz being removed and so has TJ Grant, for inactivity,” White said. “Early on, we let Dominick hold the title for as long as we did. But it’s unfair for the guys who are staying active.

“When you have a guy like TJ and they have an injury, that’s pretty serious, so they get dropped. When they come back, they’ll get added back. The same for Diaz. He’s not taking any fights and we’re not sure when he will. When he comes back, he’ll be ranked again.”

Grant (21-5) has been out of action since a win last May over Gray Maynard. He was slotted for a title shot in the lightweight division, but a concussion suffered in training scrapped that. The Canadian has remained on the sidelines due to lingering effects from that injury.

Diaz (17-9) fought in November and stopped Maynard. He has publicly stated a desire for a new UFC contract, but just signed a deal in 2012 before taking on Benson Henderson for the title.

Meanwhile, Cruz (19-1) hasn’t competed since 2011 when he bested Demetrious Johnson. Officials stripped him of the title earlier this year after a groin injury took him out of a fight with Renan Barao to unify the belts.